Ford Escort (North America)
The Ford Escort was a built by the spring of 1981 by the U.S. carmaker Ford until early 2003 model of the lower middle class.
The Escort replaced the Ford Pinto and imported from Cologne Ford Fiesta I from; His successor was the North American Ford Focus. Main competitors were Chevrolet Chevette, Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon. The coupe version of the first Escort was named Ford EXP. The parallel models of sister brand Mercury 's labeled Mercury Lynx, later Mercury Tracer. A derived from Escort saloon was called Ford Tempo.
Model history
Escort (1981-1990)
Ford Escort (1981-1985)
In the spring of 1981, Ford unveiled the new Escort, who saw the European model similar, but significantly different in detail from this.
The Escort first there was only a three-door hatchback. From the beginning of 1982, the five-door variant and the five-door station wagon was available. The model program was divided initially in base, L, GL, GLX and the sporty SS put up the drive took a 1.6-liter, acquired by Ford Europe CVH four-cylinder with 66 hp ( 48.5 kW), paired with a four-speed manual transmission or a three- speed automatic.
In the spring of 1982, added a " high performance " version of the four- cylinder that made 81 hp ( 59.5 kW), while the base engine now 71 hp (52 kW) made . The SS was renamed to GT. 1983 Ford introduced a direct-injection version of the 1.6 - liter one (89 PS/65 kW), simultaneously accounted for the sparse -equipped base model. From 1984, also a manufactured by Mazda two-liter diesel engine (53 kW PS/39 ), a 1.6-liter turbocharged (122 kW hp/90 ) and a five-speed gearbox was available.
For 1985, the model range has been streamlined, which accounted for GT. In the spring of 1985, also debuted the Year " 1985 ½ " of the Escort with optical retouching ( flush headlights, modified front and rear sections ) and 1.9 - liter four-cylinder ( 87-109 PS/64-80 kW ), the Turbo accounted and the diesel was offered unchanged. The range now comprised the model series L, GL and GT, as well as an entry-level three-door in the base version, which was called the Escort Pony from 1986. 1987 were all 1.9-liter engines, a fuel injection and made 91/117 PS ( 67/86 kW). 1987 also accounted for the diesel engine.
In the spring of 1988, the Escort received another facelift with a flatter front end and revised taillights; the program included now pony, L, GL, LX and GT. 1989 accounted L and GL and 1990 the performance of the HO four-cylinder engine dropped to 112 hp (82 kW).
Until the expiry of the first generation Escort in the summer of 1990, a total of approximately 3.37 million copies were produced (excluding 1990 because figures are not available). In the 1980s, the Escort was several times the best selling car in North America.
Ford Escort Fünftürer (1988-1990)
Ford Escort Wagon (1988-1990)
Escort (1990-1997)
Ford Escort ( 1993)
In the summer of 1990, appeared on a longer wheelbase (250 instead of 239 cm) an entirely new Escort, who was not related to the European model of the same name, but was based on the contemporary Mazda 323. As before, three - and five-door hatchbacks and a five-door station wagon and the equipment versions Pony, LX and GT were offered. In the engine compartment known from the previous 1.9 - liter four-cylinder or, in GT, one originating from Mazda DOHC four-cylinder 1.9 liter engine also work done by (129 PS / 95 kW) their service; Five -speed manual or four-speed automatic was a choice.
1992 eliminated the designation pony for the basic model and the DOHC engine was combined in the LX -E with the LX equipment.
In 1994, the LX -E was re- painted and a driver's airbag was in all versions of the standard equipment. The following year, the Escort got a new dashboard.
From the escort of the second generation until the spring of 1997 a total of 1.74 million copies were built.
Ford Escort Wagon (1990-1997)
Escort / Escort ZX2 (1997-2003)
Ford Escort (1997-2001)
In spring 1997, Ford introduced the third generation Escorts, which in turn built on a Mazda platform and it's different than its predecessor, gave, as a four-door notchback sedan and a five-door estate in the equipment lines base and LX. It was powered by a new OHC - two-liter four-cylinder, which transferred its power through a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. As of 1998, were named the trim levels LX and SE.
From mid-2000 accounted for the cluster. From the end of 2001, the Escort was available only for fleet customers and was completely replaced in 2002 by the Ford Focus, which was sold in parallel with the escort since the end of 1999 in North America.
Based on the third generation of a two-door coupe Escort was built under the name Escort ZX2 from spring 1997 to early 2003. The coupe was not the CVH - Two liters of the limousine used, but a DOHC two-liter Ford Zetec engine family, the (97 kW) made 132 hp.
From the end of 2001 was called the coupe only Ford ZX2. In the summer of 2002, the front fascia of the coupe has undergone a facelift.
Ford Escort ZX2 (1997-2001)
Ford ZX2 (2001-2003)